#Using mac time machine how to#

It recovers lost files with relative ease – or at least files you think you’d lost. If we go back in time, the file will be there, right? Maybe, but the process is time consuming, and not always accurate.Ī better option may be Disk Drill. Sometimes we restore to a backup because we believe we’ve lost a file that was crucial. We should also note since Apple has stopped making the AirPort Time Capsule there’s little chance Time Machine will improve in this area.Ĭonsider why you’re trying to restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup, too. Consider whether or not you have time to devote to that process. Having done it, we can attest it can take days for your Mac to get back up and running when restoring from a backup. Restoring a Mac from a Time Machine backup is straightforward, but not always the best option. That’s it! The best part about using this method is when you reconnect a Mac reset to factory settings or buy a new Mac, and log into the same network, you know your backups are available. Then, choose the AirPort Time Capsule as the external drive you want to save backups to. As you see in the screenshot above, our Time Machine is backing up to a Time Capsule!Īll you have to do setup your AirPort Time Capsule as the main router for your network and make sure your Mac is connecting to the network the AirPort is on. The Time Capsule has a one or two terabyte hard drive inside it, making it both a router and external drive for Time Machine backups.

#Using mac time machine how to#

Knowing how to use Time Machine with an AirPort Time Capsule is the same as knowing how to use Time Machine with external hard drive. Not only are they excellent routers, the AirPort Time Capsule works perfectly with Time Machine. You can still find Time Capsules for sale, and if you can source one, we highly recommend it. Using Time Machine with an Apple AirPort Time CapsuleĪpple used to make routers, and one of their best was the AirPort Time Capsule. Unfortunately, you’re unable to manage this schedule yourself. Time Machine will begin creating a backup to the disk you’ve designated on a schedule.

Choose the disk you want to use to store your backups.

Select “Automatic Backups” on the left side of the Time Machine window.

Note: These directions will show you how to use Time Machine to set up automatic backups.

Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.

From your Mac’s menu bar, select the Apple logo on the left side.

Setting Time Machine up is really simple. But we’ll cover Time Machine to restore Mac computers, to backup your Mac, and how to use Time Machine to restore files as well. Because it typically runs in the background, the service isn’t something you need to access often to create backups.

How to use Time Machine on Macįor most of us, knowing how to use Time Machine means knowing how to activate it. Like most services Apple creates, Time Machine is in both your System Preferences menu and is available as an app for the Mac. Using Time Machine backups will make you feel like you picked up where you left off. On startup, a new Mac asks if you want to start fresh, or boot from a backup. Most will use Time Machine when booting new Macs. When activated, it will periodically back your Mac up, keeping the last few versions in case you need to revert to a backup from a few weeks ago. Time Machine backups can also be used when you need to boot a new device, or refresh your Mac after returning it to factory settings.Īpple’s Time Machine is meant to run in the background, offering a simple, straightforward way to back your Mac up. It creates a simple “image” or “snapshot” of your Mac, which simply means a compressed file containing everything on your Mac at the time of the backup that you can revert to when needed. Time Machine is a service from Apple to backup your Mac. Here, we’ll show you how to use Apple Time Machine, and showcase a few apps that you might prefer to Apple’s Time Machine. It’s reliable, fairly easy to use, and can keep your Mac backed up on a routine schedule. Time Machine is Apple’s method for backing your Mac up, and it’s a solid choice. Not only does it help create a backup of files and folders, backups provide a place you can reboot to if your Mac stops working, or you get a new Mac.